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spyderco endura straight edge with the stainless handle. weighty, robust, very easy single hand open. lasts for .. forever. every few months clean out the cavity behind the lock to get the snick back. I replace the clip screws with socket head #2-56s
It is undersized for hunting or boating but for actual day to day use it really excels. I use it mostly for opening boxes and occasionally trimming bits off 3D printed parts. I used to carry it in my watch pocket but now it lives in my laptop bag.
I’ve been using the Victorinox Cybertool 32 for... about 6 years now. I don’t a lot of use for the extras in most multitools (who needs a metal file or a saw on a daily basis), but pliers, scissors, and a multi-tip screwdriver (including a glasses screwdriver) is super handy.
I swear by the Leatherman Skeletool - super durable, less features than a wave but much handier. From a product design perspective I have not seen its equal - I'm always finding new uses for it. Its my everyday carry, I feel naked without it most of the time.
I honestly forget I have my skeletool on me 99% of the time because it fits in my pocket so well. The blade is so robust I have just had to resharpen it 3 times over my 2 years of admittedly light use. It doesn't have much on it but admittedly you should probably get another tool for anything that isn't a knife or pliers from a multi tool.
When I'm outdoors or on my motorcycle, I carry a Leatherman Titanium. For general carry or "self defense"* I carry a Benchmade 710
* It's unlikely one is trained enough in knife fighting to defend oneself. Even most military aren't trained enough for a knife to increase their safety in a physical altercation.
I carry daily the Kershaw 1660PUR Leek Folding Knife (Purple) with SpeedSafe. I originally purchased one for my wife after extended research for her uses and hand size but liked it so much myself I purchased another to keep on me. I really like the very sharp point for detail work, efficient size, and the fact that it opens easily with one hand. It can be locked closed for keeping at the ready safely in a purse, for transport, or if walking about in NYC. It's just a bit small for my hands but this is a known and accepted trade-off. I can be agile with it despite the fact I wish it reached a bit farther towards my pinky grip when in my hand. I carry in my back right pocket. The knife an its vibrant color sticks out of my pocket just a small amount.
I'm considering changing to either of the following wooden handle 'gentleman' knives:
Benchmade - North Fork 15031 Knife, Drop-Point with Stabilized Wooden Handle
Boker Plus 01BO734 Urban Trapper 3 1/2 in. Blade
If you end up going with either of these let me know how they feel!
They would open the blades and stick them in a potato for a few days which would turn the metal black and prevent further oxidation (downside of not choosing stainless).
The flat blade (shortest on one in link) would be kept literally razor sharp and used only when real sharpness was needed. The somewhat rounded blade much less sharp (for rough utility usage, maybe cutting a cable or the like) and the long blade moderately sharp for general usage.
First they would use the grit side, then steel the "sharp" blade with the steel side, then strap it on the leather case. The sharp blade was sharp enough when it would shave hair on your arm like a razor.
These were guys that actually used pocket knives a lot. And it was a common brand/system among them.
It actually says "stainless steel" for that knife link. Not sure if composition has changed or it's an error (because others from that site do say "stainless steel blades").
I do know that the blades of that brand would rust and rapidly when I was young (if not potato treated), they were not stainless steel. Not a metallurgist, don't really know the difference but having had a lot of pocket knives the ones that didn't rust were very had to get razor sharp.
I do a lot of flying. If I got a nice pocket knife I really liked and then got it confiscated, I'd be really sad. That little prybar rides on my keychain constantly and I don't have to think about it.
It's not sharp as a knife, but does most of what I need to do with it day to day.
I used to carry a leatherman wave, but that was so big and bulky. I downsized to a leatherman juice, but even that got annoying to carry after a while.
Now I carry a Gerber Dime. I hardly know it's there, but when I need a knife or a pair of pliers it's almost always enough. If it's not enough, then I'm fine to go find something bigger.
Smaller is way better. I carry a tiny red cross knife with foldup scissors, as well as a Gerber. I've pulled out the Gerber twice, and only to point out how I never pull out the Gerber anymore because tiny knife is all that's needed. Should probably stop bringing it...
Those scissors on the Gerber suck, but you don't know how badly they suck until getting a knife that has good, sharp ones. The scissors were somehow sharper than the knife, with sharp points, and it turned out perfect for almost every situation.
But yeah, it's satisfying to have pliers just in case. I think I used them once to get a piece of metal unstuck.
I'm split on getting a Dime or one of the SOG batons (q1 and q2 are available near me) for a small edc multitool. The batons have less features, but there's something irresistibly cool about them.
I always carry the RSK Mk1, which is Doug Ritter's take on the Benchmade Griptilian.
I picked it because I like drop point blade geometry, it's heavy-duty enough to chop with in a pinch, like all high quality pocket knives it holds an edge very well, and it's at the upper limit of how big a knife can be without being uncomfortable or inconvenient to carry in my waistband.
I’ve every-day-carried a number of expensive knives of various sizes over the years. I eventually landed on the tiny and cheap Swiss Army Classic SD. I am a knowledge worker who mostly sits at a desk during the week. It easily serves for everything that I need a knife to do and then some with its tweezers, scissors, toothpick, and nail file. It’s very small and light. It’s also cheap enough that I don’t really care if I lose one to carelessness or a security checkpoint. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YVB2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_u...
I second the Victorinox, but prefer the Climber as the smallest model that has both corkscrew and scissors and screwdriver. Very handy at parties where there is wine but no one has brought a corkscrew! The blade is ok, but a bit flimsy and does not lock, so light duty only. The overall look is innocuous or even dorky rather than tactical. Which suits my needs since I prefer to attend parties and avoid knife fights.
That said I would love it if there was a clone or similar knife with the main blade in an abrasion resistant steel like VG-10. Cutting open packages will dull a knife surprisingly quickly.
Cold Steel Code 4. It has a titanium handle, so it's super light and smooth - you almost don't feel it in your pocket, it's super-comfortable to wear. I carry it as an EDC knife for 5 months now, and it's the best knife I have owned so far.
Always attached to keyring. I have never felt a need for a pocket knife until I got this one as a gift. Now I use it all the time at home, car, travels etc.
I initially bought the Leatherman Wave. It basically replaced my toolbox. I would carry it every day using the pocket clip. After a few months, I started to notice how bulky and overkill it was for everyday carry. I started carrying it in my backpack (which eventually got stolen from my car).
I then purchased the Victorinox Bantam Alox. It's minimalistic, extremely thin and light. The blade is large and comfortable, and the combo tool (flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, wire stripper, bottle opener, can opener) is very useful. It's so thin I eventually lost it.
I finally got the Leatherman Squirt PS4. It's tiny, yet has lots of features (blade, scissors, file, pliers, flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, bottle opener, wire cutters, sewing pin mod). I carry it every day in my pants coin pocket. The only downside is the blade, which is not as big and comfortable as the others (which I used for cooking, crafting, wood prepping, etc).
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[ 1.7 ms ] story [ 127 ms ] threadhttps://www.crkt.com/shop/everyday-carry-knives/delilah-s-p-...
It is undersized for hunting or boating but for actual day to day use it really excels. I use it mostly for opening boxes and occasionally trimming bits off 3D printed parts. I used to carry it in my watch pocket but now it lives in my laptop bag.
* It's unlikely one is trained enough in knife fighting to defend oneself. Even most military aren't trained enough for a knife to increase their safety in a physical altercation.
Want something fun to keep your hands busy? Check out butterfly knife trainers: https://hobanco.com/collections/practice-butterfly-balisong-...
Want something more serious? Check out benchmade: https://www.bladehq.com/cat--All-Benchmade--62
Want something high quality and cheap? Check out Kershaw: https://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/kershaw/
The reason is - the blade is 3-layer steel - where the middle is: ZDP-189 - notably the hardest steel your can buy in pocket knife for the price.
It's hard and non exactly stainless and is brittle due to hardness and hence - 2 layers of stainless steel on each side.
I don't like it's shape - but i like the quality.
Although, at those prices, are you going to use the knife much? Might as well just get a regular Buck or Mercator.
But to each their own.
[1]With option for lefthandedness, however that works.
Hence this:
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/RSRYOHZDP/rockstead-ryo-h-z...
I'm considering changing to either of the following wooden handle 'gentleman' knives:
Benchmade - North Fork 15031 Knife, Drop-Point with Stabilized Wooden Handle
Boker Plus 01BO734 Urban Trapper 3 1/2 in. Blade
If you end up going with either of these let me know how they feel!
Stay away from stainless steel IMOP. Harder to sharpen, hard to get as sharp.
When I was a kid a lot of old guys had these knives. Something like this https://www.knivesplus.com/oldtimerlumberjacksc-858otb.html.
They would open the blades and stick them in a potato for a few days which would turn the metal black and prevent further oxidation (downside of not choosing stainless).
The flat blade (shortest on one in link) would be kept literally razor sharp and used only when real sharpness was needed. The somewhat rounded blade much less sharp (for rough utility usage, maybe cutting a cable or the like) and the long blade moderately sharp for general usage.
This is the general type of sharpener they used. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/lansky-1-x-3-double-sided-p...
First they would use the grit side, then steel the "sharp" blade with the steel side, then strap it on the leather case. The sharp blade was sharp enough when it would shave hair on your arm like a razor.
These were guys that actually used pocket knives a lot. And it was a common brand/system among them.
I do know that the blades of that brand would rust and rapidly when I was young (if not potato treated), they were not stainless steel. Not a metallurgist, don't really know the difference but having had a lot of pocket knives the ones that didn't rust were very had to get razor sharp.
Honestly, the favorite pocket knife is whatever I have on me at the time. I have one of these which is TSA approved and it does ok for opening boxes and packages and stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Boker-09BO310-Access-Prying-Steel/dp/...
I do a lot of flying. If I got a nice pocket knife I really liked and then got it confiscated, I'd be really sad. That little prybar rides on my keychain constantly and I don't have to think about it.
It's not sharp as a knife, but does most of what I need to do with it day to day.
Now I carry a Gerber Dime. I hardly know it's there, but when I need a knife or a pair of pliers it's almost always enough. If it's not enough, then I'm fine to go find something bigger.
https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Dim...
Those scissors on the Gerber suck, but you don't know how badly they suck until getting a knife that has good, sharp ones. The scissors were somehow sharper than the knife, with sharp points, and it turned out perfect for almost every situation.
But yeah, it's satisfying to have pliers just in case. I think I used them once to get a piece of metal unstuck.
https://www.sogknives.com/baton
I picked it because I like drop point blade geometry, it's heavy-duty enough to chop with in a pinch, like all high quality pocket knives it holds an edge very well, and it's at the upper limit of how big a knife can be without being uncomfortable or inconvenient to carry in my waistband.
When I’m camping, I carry a Leatherman multitool.
That said I would love it if there was a clone or similar knife with the main blade in an abrasion resistant steel like VG-10. Cutting open packages will dull a knife surprisingly quickly.
https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Climber-Pocket-Knife...
I use tools several times a day, sometimes all day... The wave eliminates 90 percent of the runs to the toolbox. Also, lifetime guaranteed.
Always attached to keyring. I have never felt a need for a pocket knife until I got this one as a gift. Now I use it all the time at home, car, travels etc.
- Victorinox Bantam Alox
- Leatherman Wave
I initially bought the Leatherman Wave. It basically replaced my toolbox. I would carry it every day using the pocket clip. After a few months, I started to notice how bulky and overkill it was for everyday carry. I started carrying it in my backpack (which eventually got stolen from my car).
I then purchased the Victorinox Bantam Alox. It's minimalistic, extremely thin and light. The blade is large and comfortable, and the combo tool (flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, wire stripper, bottle opener, can opener) is very useful. It's so thin I eventually lost it.
I finally got the Leatherman Squirt PS4. It's tiny, yet has lots of features (blade, scissors, file, pliers, flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, bottle opener, wire cutters, sewing pin mod). I carry it every day in my pants coin pocket. The only downside is the blade, which is not as big and comfortable as the others (which I used for cooking, crafting, wood prepping, etc).
http://knifeinformer.com/discovering-the-best-knife-steel/
Victorinox knives provide the best performance for the price:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Army_knife#Design_and_ma...